scholarly journals Sexuality and behaviour of adolescents in relationship to sexually transmitted diseases in Libreville: a cross-sectional study

Author(s):  
Nathalie L. Ambounda ◽  
Sylvain H. Woromogo ◽  
Felicite E. Yagata Moussa ◽  
Alain J. Kouanang ◽  
Vicky N. Simo Tekem

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a sexually transmitted infection (STI) as an infection that is transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse. Indeed, the highest rates of STIs are usually found among young people aged 15 to 24. In Gabon, adolescents' knowledge of sexuality and STIs remains insufficient and early sexual intercourse is the most important factor favouring them. Improving adolescents' knowledge of sexuality education could influence their behaviour.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1256 adolescents in schools in Libreville. Their socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about STIs, the description of their sexuality and their behaviour towards STIs were obtained through ratings and frequencies. Authos calculated the overall average of adolescents on their knowledge of STIs. Odds ration were used to establish the link between the different variables.Results: Adolescents reported knowledge of STIs (1163/1256). AIDS was the most frequently cited STI by 94.50% of adolescents. Sexual intercourse was the main route of STI transmission and was cited by 687 adolescents who estimated that they knew at least one mode of STI transmission. Almost all female and male adolescents had poor knowledge of STIs, with 98.2% and 98.8% respectively. 84.96% of those with a sexual partner had ever had sex. More than half of sexually active adolescents had multiple partners.Conclusions: Adolescents have a poor overall knowledge of STIs. Sexual risk behaviour remains very high, regardless of gender. To contain the scourge, awareness campaigns using all the means of communication at our disposal and especially the media.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Calas ◽  
N. Zemali ◽  
G. Camuset ◽  
J. Jaubert ◽  
R. Manaquin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recommendations for sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening vary significantly across countries. This study evaluated the prevalence of urogenital and extragenital infections with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in patients visiting a French STI clinic in the Indian Ocean region to determine whether current STI screening practices should be updated. Methods This cross-sectional study examined all patients who visited the STI clinic between 2014 and 2015. Triplex polymerase chain reaction screening for CT, NG, and MG was performed on urine, vaginal, pharyngeal, and anal specimens (FTD Urethritis Basic Kit, Fast Track Diagnostics, Luxembourg). Results Of the 851 patients enrolled in the study, 367 were women (367/851, 43.2%) and 484 were men (484/851, 56.0%). Overall, 826 urogenital specimens (826/851, 97.1%), 606 pharyngeal specimens (606/851, 71.2%), and 127 anal specimens (127/851, 14.9%) were taken from enrolled patients. The prevalence of urogenital CT and MG was high in women ≤25 years (19/186, 10.21%; 5/186, 2.69%) and in men who have sex with women ≤30 years (16/212, 7.54%; 5/212, 2.36%). Among patients with urogenital CT infection, 13.7% (7/51) had urethritis. All patients with urogenital MG infection were asymptomatic. Men who have sex with men had a high prevalence of pharyngeal CT (2/45, 4.44%) and NG (3/44, 6.81%) and a high prevalence of anal CT (2/27, 7.41%), NG (2/27, 7.40%), and MG (1/27, 3.70%). After excluding patients with concomitant urogenital infection, extragenital infections with at least 1 of the 3 pathogens were found in 20 swabs (20/91, 21.9%) taken from 16 patients (16/81, 19.7%), all of them asymptomatic. Conclusions Routine multisite screening for CT, NG, and MG should be performed to mitigate the transmission of STIs in high-risk sexually active populations.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e030701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn L Hopkins ◽  
Khuthadzo Hlongwane ◽  
Kennedy Otwombe ◽  
Janan Dietrich ◽  
Mireille Cheyip ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThis cross-sectional study investigated the burden of HIV-non-communicable disease (NCD) precursor comorbidity by age and sex. Policies stress integrated HIV-NCD screenings; however, NCD screening is poorly implemented in South African HIV testing services (HTS).SettingWalk-in HTS Centre in Soweto, South Africa.Participants325 voluntary adults, aged 18+ years, who provided written or verbal informed consent (with impartial witness) for screening procedures were enrolled.Primary and secondary outcomesData on sociodemographics, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infection symptoms, blood pressure (BP) (≥140/90=elevated) and body mass index (<18.5 underweight; 18.5–25.0 normal; >25 overweight/obese) were stratified by age-group, sex and HIV status.ResultsOf the 325 participants, the largest proportions were female (51.1%; n=166/325), single (71.5%; n=231/323) and 25–34 years (33.8%; n=110/325). Overall, 20.9% (n=68/325) were HIV infected, 27.5% (n=89/324) had high BP and 33.5% (n=109/325) were overweight/obese. Among HIV-infected participants, 20.6% (14/68) had high BP and 30.9% (21/68) were overweight/obese, as compared with 29.3% (75/256) and 12.1% (31/256) of the HIV-uninfected participants, respectively. Females were more likely HIV-infected compared with males (26.5% (44/166) vs 15.1% (24/159); p=0.012). In both HIV-infected and uninfected groups, high BP was most prevalent in those aged 35–44 years (25% (6/24) vs 36% (25/70); p=0.3353) and >44 years (29% (4/14) vs 48% (26/54); p=0.1886). Males had higher BP than females (32.9% (52/158) vs 22.3% (37/166); p=0.0323); more females were overweight/obese relative to males (45.8% (76/166) vs 20.8% (33/159); p<0.0001). Females were more likely to be HIV infected and overweight/obese.ConclusionAmong HTS clients, NCD precursors rates and co-morbidities were high. Elevated BP occurred more in older participants. Targeted integrated interventions for HIV-infected females and HIV-infected people aged 18–24 and 35–44 years could improve HIV public health outcomes. Additional studies on whether integrated HTS will improve the uptake of NCD treatment and improve health outcomes are required.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wafa Dhouib ◽  
Imen Zemni ◽  
Meriem Kacem ◽  
Cyrine Bennasrallah ◽  
Manel Ben Fredj ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In the world as in North Africa, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a public health problem especially for reproductive-age women. Since the quantification of the prevalence of STIs is important for the planning of interventions and the promotion of resources, it is necessary to have current data to evaluate the situation in the Maghreb and to give the answer as to the possibility of reaching the desired WHO goal of ending STIs epidemics as a public health concerns by 2030.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and trend of STIs during 11 years in Tunisia (2007-17). Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study including all women with STIs diagnosed with the syndromic approach in all basic health care centers of the Governorate of Monastir (Tunisia) from 2007 to 2017. Syndromes included, Pelvic Pain (PP), Vaginal Discharge (VD) and Genital Ulceration (GU). Results: We analyzed 40388 cases of genital infection with a crude prevalence rate and age standardized prevalence rate of 13.93/ 1000 inh and 72.38/ 1000 respectively. The prevalence rate was relatively high and showed a positive trend over 11 years for all age groups and syndromes. VD was the most common syndrome with a CPR of 11.7/1000. For all syndromes, women of childbearing age (20 to 39 years) were the most affected age group (p <0.05). Conclusion:Our results were consistent with the global evidence, suggesting a focus on primary prevention reinforcement and STIs surveillance system improving in North Africa countries to achieve the World health organization goal of ending STIs epidemics by 2030.


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